HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 4

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

The ordinary meeting of the Dunedin Hospital Trustees, held on the 20th inst., was attended by Messrs P. Miller (chairman), J. Green, M.H.R., J. Carroll, H. Clark, J. Robin, W. Wright. CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs Dnnoan and MaeQrogor forwarded a copy of the will of the late Mr Robert M 'Donald, of Waitati, who died in the hospital on 18th April. JThe only property of which the deceased died possessed of was a deposit in the Post Office Saviugs Bank, amounting with interest to £28 0s Bd, and a piece of land (section 9, block V, Blueskin township, area, one rood). The Government had agreed to pay the executors the amount on deposit in the savings bank without proving the will, upon the Rev. A. M. Finlayson along with Mr Duncan, of the firm of Duncan and MacGregor, giving the necessary indemnity, and the money was now in their possession. From this amount (£2B 0s 8d) had to be deducted £12 153 4d debts Sue by the deceased, and solicitors' co&ts, say £2 2s, in all leaving to be paid to the trustees £13 3s 4d, less the bequest of £2 mentioned in the will. — The letter was received. POLICE CASES. Dr MAdam, house surgeon, wrote that a constable had brought to the hospital, on the evening of the 6th inst., a woman who had been slightly injured in a quarrel. He stated he brought her for examination simply, and not for medical attendance, of which she was in no need. His motive in bringing the woman to the hospital was solely to obtain medical evidence, as regarded her injuries, for the next day's sitting of the Police Court. The result was that the writer had to leave his work and attend court. The case was adjourned till Saturday, the busiest day of the week in the hospital, and the writer had to attend again, for nearly two hours, leaving Dr Ross to" do double work. While understanding the necessity of his attendance at court, the writer desired an opinion as to whether it was his duty, as house* surgeon, to examine a case purely in the interest of the police, when by so doing he was liable to neglect the work of the hospital at its busiest time, and throw double duty on his colleague. This was not the first case that had occurred during the year. —-The Chairman said the doctor objected to examine cases simply for the purpose of going to court and giving evidence. The speaker thought that was not the purpose for which they kept a resident house surgeon. His duty was to attend to patients coming to the hospital, but not simply to give testimony as to patients found by the police.— Mr Robin thought that, unless such oases were of frequent occurrence, it would be far better not to have any trouble over the matter. The doctor had said in his letter that this was not the first case, but he (Mr Robin) presumed they were not very frequent.— The Chairman said he understood that the doctor wanted to know if the trustees approved of the polioe bringing patients to the hospital simply for the purpose of getting evidence. — Mr Carroll thought it would be a different thing if the patient remained in the hospital.— Mr Green understood that the police brought cases for the purpose of obtaining expert evidence. While the doctor was away the trustees did not know how much suffering might be inflicted in the hospital, and they did not know how much neglect there might be. He thought it was a question to be considered by other authorities besides themselves, and he was of opinion that they should hand the letter to the chairman, and ask him to see the head of the police. They could then have an explanation, and come to a better understanding. — Letter to be received, and the chairman to interview the inspector of police. DONATIONS. Mr M. Cohen wrote enclosing the sum ol £20, collected by Mr Habeb Bacos' from his countrymen (Assyrians) in Otago in aid of the hospital. The money was to be placed unreservedly in the hands of the trustees.— Received with thanks. Mr E. F. Duthie, on behalf of various exhibitors at the Obago Agricultural and Pastoral Society's winter show, intimated that the exhibits would be forwarded to the hospital as a donation. The exhibitors were from Central Otago. — Acknowledged with thanks.

The police have received no intimation respecting the supposed incendiary plot to destroy the Government Buildings, and it is generally believed that the whole report has arisen from vague statements by "the man in the street."

Captain Smitb, of the barque Kindune, which arrived from Liverpool on Thursday, reports having passed through immense fields of ice on the passage. The first, numbering eight large bergs, were sighted on the 9th May, in lat, 44.37 S., long. 7.49 E. For a distance of 3000 miles the vessel sailed in close proximity to these unwelcome neighbours. The week befora the Snares were sighted another iceberg of un« usual size was met with.